Continuous bag washing and drying machine



Nov. 3, 1942- J.\J. NEUMAN coNTINuoUs BAG WASHING AND DRYING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 22, 1939 noos s. zu nml Nov. 3, 1942. v.1. J. NEUMAN 2,300,690

CONTINUOUS BAG WASHING AND DRYING MACHINE Nov. 3, 1942. .1. J. NEUMANl CONTINUOUS BAG WASHING ANN DRYING MACHINE` Filed Deo. 22,4 1939 S'Sheets-Sheet 5 Znnentor SNN Jaco J Jyeumn/ MNM (Ittorneg Patented Nov. 3, 1942 UNlTED `STATES CONTINUOUS BAG WASHING AND DRYING MACHINE pany of New York Application December 22, 1939, Serial No. 310,521

(Cl. Sii- 23) 15v Claims.

This invention relates to washing and drying machines, and more particularly to continuous washing and drying machines.

An object of this invention is to provide a machine of this type wherein bags or like articles may be washed and dried, the bags or like articles having had stored therein raw sugar or similar sticky food products.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of this type with automatic means for regulating the flow of wash water relative to the amount of material being washed from the bags.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine wherein the material washed from the bags may be recovered and refined.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a machine of this character wherein the material is removed by forcing water through the bags by centrifugal force and subsequently cutting Off the driving force in such a manner that the bags will move longitudinally of the machine, the movement of the bags through the machine being dependent upon the speed of rotation of the bags relative to the machine.

A further object of this invention is to provide Y a means for varying the operation of the machine so as to effect movement of the bags therethrough.

A further object of this invention is to provide a washing and drying machine in which the washing and drying is carried on more efliciently and continuously instead of intermittently and in batches as at present.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, the invention will be more fully described hereinafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure l is a detail side elevation of a washing and drying machine embodying this invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section, partly broken away of the machine.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional View through the drying and ironing means used with this invention. a

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit used with the motor.

. posed above the base I0. The

, pivotally coaxial with the body I2.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of washing drum.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side elevation of another form of controlling means for the washing drum.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral I0 designates a base member, and the numeral I I designates a drum or stationary housing which is disdrum II comprises a cylindrical body I2 and end walls I3 and I4. The end wall I3 has an opening I5 therethrough which is eccentric to the axial center thereof, and the end wall yI4 is provided with an opening I6 The body I2 has secured to the lower side thereof a pair of segmental angle members I1n to which a plate I8 is secured. The lower ends of the plates I8 are substantially horizontal, and are secured to angle bars I9 which are also secured to a pair of I-beams 20. One end of each beam 20 is pivotally secured on a bearing 2-I which is xed to the base member ID so as to thereby secure one end of the housing or drum I! to the base I0. In the present instance the base I2 is constructed in the form ofa pair of I-beams shown more clearly in Fig. 3. A plate 22 is connected to the opposite ends of the beams 20, and a threaded shaft 23 loosely engages through the plate 22. A lower end of the shaft 23 is pivotally, mounted on a bearing24, anda nut 25 is threaded onto the shaft 23 and bears against the lower side yof the plate 22 so as to support the housing II in a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal. Adjustment-of the nut 25 will raise or lower the upper discharge,

end of the housing II.

An inner rotatable centrifugal cylinder 2B is disposed within the housing II, and is provided for a portion 2'! which are inclined outwardly in the direction cf rotation of the cylinder or drum 2B so that as the cylinder 26 rotates water or other liquid within the lower portionef the outer housing I-I will be driven in through the openings 21 with suchy force as to form a plurality of jets for discharging the water or other liquid against the bags disposed within the cylinder 26. From a point substantially midway of the. length of the cylinder 126 to the upper or discharge end thereof, the v cylinder 26 is provided openings 28 whichare inclined oppositely from :the openings 2l. These openings 28 provide a suction means in the der 25, as well as in the upper portion-of the subwith another series of merged part of the cylinder 26 whereby the water of the length thereof with openings i drying portion ofthe cylinor other liquid is centrifugally extracted from the bags. The level of the liquid or water in the outer drum or housing II is such that from substantially the center of the drum or cylinder 26 to the lower or intake end, the wall of the drum 26 is submerged in the water or other liquid, and from the center of the drum 26 to the upper or discharge end thereof, the drum 26 is disposed out of the water.

The inner drum 26 is provided with a pair of annular rings or bearing tracks 29 which are xed to the exterior of the drum 26 adjacent each end thereof, and the tracks 29 engage rollers 3U having trunnions 3| engaging in bearings 32 which are fixed to the inside of the "o uterhousing'l'l. The tracks 29 are held against endwisemovement by means of rollers 33 which are rotatably carried by shafts 34 fixed in the bearings 32. In the present instance the rollers 33 are disposed on the lower side of the tracks 29 so as to take up the thrust due to the inclination of the drum 26 and the housing II.`

A plurality of arcuate plates 35, 36 and 31 are disposed within thehousing II exteriorly of the drum 26 and are spaced apart in the washing zone 4I and serve Vas ballles to retain the water or other liquid within the washing zone 4I. The platesl or bailles 35, 36 and 31, are provided with ang'es '38, 39 and 4 0, respectively which ,are secured to the inner surface of the outer housing I l so as to maintain the platesl or baffles position. The plate or baille 35 engages between a pair' of rings y42 and "43 which are provided with ilanges 44 and 45, respectively which are secured to the exterior vof the Ydrum 26. The plate or baille 36 engages between a pair of rings 46 and 41 having flanges `48 4and 49, respectively which are secured to the drum 26. The plate or baille 31 engagesbetween a pair of rings 50 and 5I having flanges 52 and 53,` respectively, which are secured to the'drum ,26. The baille rings hereinbefore described coact with the bailles in retaining the water in the space between the bailles and also within the washing zone 4I. The bailles 35, 976 and 31 are slightly less than semi-circular, as shown in Fig. 3, and valso serve the purpose of providing a means whereby the Clean fresh water entering the drum from the inlet pipe 54 is prevented from flowing directly to the outlet pipe 6.0-

Water is discharged within the washing zone 4I, and in the present instance between baffles 35 and 36 through a water intake pipe 54 which is connected to a boss 55 carried by the outer drum or housing I I. A valve 5,6 is interposed in the intake pipe 54, and is preferably of the solenoid operated type, being connected by wires 51 and 58 toa suitable water control means as will be hereinafter described. The level of the water in the housing II is regulated by means of an outlet valve 59 which is interposed in an outlet pipe 6I) connected to the lower portion of the housing il, as shown in Fig. `2. The valve 59 which is in the pipe 60 is operated by means of a float 6I which is disposed in the housing II, and is connected to the valve 59 by means of a linkage 62, 6'3 and B4. The link 62 ispivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a support 65 secured to the end wall I of the housing Il, and the link 64 is pivotally mounted on a support 66 carried by the valve 5,9, The valvejplug 0r plunger 61 is pivotally connected to the link 64 intermediate the ends thereof, so that vertical rocking of the link 64 will move the valve plug'or plunger 61 to open or closed position.`

The washing and drying drum 26 is provided on the interior thereof with a helical bag carrier 68 which extends throughout the length of the drum 25. From the intake end of the drum 26 to substantially the center thereof, or for the length of the washing chamber or zone 4 I, the pitch of the helical carrier is substantially greater than the pitch thereof in the drying zone or chamber 69. The variation in the pitch of the carrier in the two zones provides for a slower movement longitudinally of the drum 26 within the drying zone than within the washing zone, so that the bags will be comparatively dry when discharged from the discharge end of the drum 26.

The vdrum 26 adjacent the upper o1' discharge en d thereof is provided with a pulley or sheave 16 having a plurality of V-shaped annular grooves 1I within which V-belts 12 engage. The belts 12 are trained over a driving pulley or sheave 13 which is fixed to a motor shaft 14 operated by a motor 15. The motor 15 is mounted on a platform 16 secured to a pair of supporting beams or bars 11 which are fixed to the beams 29. The pulley 10 is disposed outwardly of the end wall I4 of the housing I I,\r as shown in Fig. k2. A stationary cylindrical receivingniember 18 is disposedloosely about the upper or discharge end of the drum 26, and is supported in outwardly extended position to the drum 26 by means of brackets 19 which are fixed to the end wall I4. The cylindrical member 18 is provided with an end wall 86 having a discharge opening 8|, and the interior of the cylindrical member 18 is also provided with a helical rib 82 having a relatively shallow pitch so that when the bags are discharged from the upper end of the drum 2b and are rotating under centrifugal force the bags may continue to rotate, but the -stationary helical rib 82 will provide .a means whereby the centrifugal or rotary force of the bags will be dissipated.

The centrifugally dried bags are discharged or taken manually from the receiver 18 onto a drying table or platform 83 forming part of a drying and ironing structure generally designated as 84. vThe drying member 8,4 comprises a lower upwardly flared inverted hood 8,5 having a hot air duct 86 connected to the lower or apex thereof. The duct 86 is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of hot air supply (not shown) whereby the heated air is forced through the duct 86 and through the hood 85. The hood at its upper end is provided with a perforate plate 81 ywhich is coplanar through the plate 81 so as to Contact with the bags disposed on the upper surface of the plate 81.

' An upper substantially conical hood 89 is disposed above the plate 81 and above a series of upper hollow heating rollers 49i) which are rotated by'means of a chain or ilexible drive member 3l. The upper rollers 9G are adjustable relative to the lower rollers 88, being carried by bearings 92 having slots 93 which permit vvertical adjustment of the upper rollers 92. If desired the upper rollers may be spring-pressed in any suitable manner so as to place these rollers under tension, A lower fan 94 is connected to the duct 86, and is adapted to force the air upwardly throughvthe hood 85, and an upper suction fan 95 is connected to a ,duct 96 which communicates with the apex of the upper hood 8,9. After the hot drybagsA emerge from these rollers they may be fed through a similar device in which the rollers are fed with cold water and cool dry air is fed through the pressing tables to cool the hot b-ags.

TheV travel of the bags through the inner drum 26 is effected by accelerating or decelerating the speed of rotation of the drum 26, and also upon the rate and magnitude of deceleration. The decelerating of the speed of rotation of the drum 26 is effected sharply so that the wet or partially dried bags engaging the conveying rib 68 will slide along the inner surface of the drum 26, being moved longitudinally thereof b-y reason of the pitch of the rib 68. It will be understood that the drum 26 is continuously rotated, and that the lowest speedof rotation thereof is suiiicient to centrifugally maintain the bags within the drum 26 against the inner surface thereof. The rate of travel of the bags through the drum 28 will depend in part upon the frequency of the periods of acceleration and deceleration thereof, in part upon the pitch of the conveying rib 68, and the rate and magnitude of deceleration.

In order to eiect the desired travel of the bags through the drum 26, I have provided a periodic control means for the motor 15, and in Fig. 7 there is shown a diagrammatic view of the electric circuits connected to the motor 15 for effecting this result. As is well known in the art, when resistance is inserted in series with the shunt ield of an electric motor, thus reducing the eld current, the motor speed is increased, and conversely when the field current is increased the motor slows down. In Fig. 7 the armature of the motor 15 is designated 91 and the field 98. A

pair of wires and 0| connect the armature 91 with a pair of current suppl-y wires |02 and |03, respectively, and a double pole switch |04 is interposed in the supply wires |02 and |03. The supply wire |02 is connected to one end of a rheostat resistance wire |05, and the supply wire |03 is connected to one side of the field 98. The opposite side of the field 98 is connected by a wire |06 to the opposite end of the resistance |05, and a wire |01 connects the wire |06 with the wiper |08 which wipes over the resistance |05.

The wiper |08 is rotated continuously by means of an operator |09 which is here shown as a small electric motor having a driving pulley |0 about which a belt is trained. A driven pulley ||2 is carried by the wiper |08 so that rotation of the driving pulley ||0 will eiect clockwise rotation of the wiper |08. As the wiper |08 first engages the resistance the current will flow from the wire |02 through the first portionV of the resistance |05, the wiper |08, and wires |01 and 06 to the field 98, the circuit being ycompleted through the field 98 and supply wire |03. At this time little or no resistance is interposed between the supply wire |02 and the field 08 so that the motor will abruptly slow down. As the wiper |08 moves around the resistance |05 the'amount of resistance interposed in the field 98 will be increased, thus effecting a speeding-up of the motor 15. At the time the wiper- |08 reaches the end of the resistance |05 the maximum amount of resistance is interposed in the eld 98 so that the motor 15 will be rotated lat its highest speed. This high speed of the motor 15 will continue for one-half revolution of the wiper |08, during which time the wiper |08 is disengaged from the resistance |05. When the wiper |08 is disengaged from the resistance |05 the current will iiow from the supply wire |02 through the resistance |05 and wire |06 to the field 98, and thence to the other supply wire |03.

While I have shown a motor |00 as an operator for the wiper |08, it will be understood that any other'suitable means may be provided for effecting continuous rotation of the wiper.

In order to provide a means whereby clean or fresh water may be supplied to the housing |I, I have provided an automatically operable control means shown in Fig. 3 which is connected to the solenoid operated valve 56. A pipe I3 is connected at one end to thehousing I at a point forwardly of the wall or baiile 35and beneath the drying zone 69 of the drum 26. Theopposite end of the pipe ||3 is connected to a receiver ||4` which is open at the upper end thereof. A valve ||5 may be interposed in the pipe ||3 between the housing and the receiver I4. An outer casing ||6 is disposed about the receiver H4,

`being'substantiallyhigher than the receiver ||4 so thatv the liquidfrom the receiver ||4 may overiiow into the casing ||6. A drain pipe ||1 is connected to the casing ||6 and is adapted to carry off the overflowing water or liquid.

A hydrometer ||3 is disposed within the receiver ||4 and is provided with an upwardly projecting stem||9 carrying a shutter |20. A light source |2|.is disposed above the normal level of the shutter and projects a beam of light through a screen |22 in the direction of a photo-,electric cell |23. The cell is connected at one side thereof to the wire 51 and at the other side by a wire |24 to a battery |25 or other suitable source of current supply. The wire 58 is connected to the battery |25, so that when the cell |23 is cut off from the light beam a circuit willbe completed from the battery |25 to the solenoid |26 associated with the valve 56 and this valve thus moved to an open position. It will be understood that if desired'ornecessary a suitable relay may be placed in circuit with the light cell |23 to effect opening and closing of the circuit from the battery |25 t'o the solenoid |26 through the wires 51, 58 and |24.

In Figure 8 there is disclosed a modified form of drum structure, wherein the drum 26a. is provided with aplurality of inclined openings 21a which are inclined in a direction to force the water into the drum 26a during the rotation of the drum. In order to assist in forcing the water through the openings, the drum 26a is provided on the exterior thereof with a blade or vane |21 for each opening 21a which serves to .pick up the water and force the water inwardly through the opening 21a.v

In'Fig. 9 there is disclosed an alternate control means for the washing drum which is mounted adjacent the stationary drum Ia. The drum or housing llar is supported from supporting beams 20a which are vertically adjustable by means of a nut 25a which is threaded onto athreaded support 23a. The support or shaft 23a is pivotally mounted as at 24a. onto the base |0a. The housing., lla, is provided with a discharge member 18a supported by means of supporting bars 19a forwardly of the adjacent end of the housing Ila. The .inner drum 26a is provided with a grooved pulley 10a about which belts 12a are trained, and these belts 12a are also trainedaboutv a driving pulley v13a mounted on the shaft 14a of a motor 15a. The motor 15a is mounted on a platform 16a which isI supported on beams or bars 11a extending transversely of the beams 20a..

A variableV speed transmission '|30 is interposed between .the pulley 13a. and the motor 15a, the transmissionV being of conventional type and .capable "of providing the desired high, and

low speeds for thepulley13ax with the motor 15a operating at a constant speed.l A transmission shifting lever ISI is connectedat one end to the shifting means of the transmission 13|), and the other end of the shifting lever |3| isconnected to the outer end of a pistonrod |32. An air cylinder |33 having a piston |34 slidable therein is mounted adjacent` the vmotor 15a, the piston |34 being secured to the inner end of the connecting or'pisto'n rod'I3-2.

The cylinder |33'.is provided with a pair of spaced apart air intake portsl |28 and |29 adjacent each end thereof, and air pipes I36-and |35, respectively, are connected to the ports |28 and |29. The pipe |35 is connected to a three way valve member |39, which is shown diagrammatically, and a pressurereducing valve |31 is interposed in the pipe |35 between the cylinder |33 and the valve |39. The pipe |36 is connected to the valve |39, and a pressure reducing valve |38 is interposed in the. pipe |36. By means of these valves |31 and |38fthe amount of air supplied to the cylinder |33 on opposite sides of the piston I 34 can be very'nely regulated so that the operating lever |3| vcan be: rocked in either direction at the desired equal or differential speeds. The valve |39V is provided with a vent |46 so that when air is admitted to the cylinder |33 at one sideof the piston |34 to move the piston |34 in one direction, the air on the opposite side of the piston |34 may exhaust into the atmosphere. An air supply pipe 41 is connected at one end to thepvalve |39, and at the other end to a suitable source of air supply.

The valve |39 is operated to communicate either the pipe |35 or the pipe |36 with the pipe |41 by means of a timer |56, This timer |46 is here shown diagrammatically, and may be a conventional timer which is adapted to periodicallyopen and close a switch structure incorporated within the timer. A solenoid coil |42 is connected to the timerl |46, and a battery |45 is also connected to the timer |46 so as to periodically energize the solenoid coil |42. A solenoid core |42@ is connected to a Valve lever I4| which is secured to the valve |39, sothat when the coil |42 is energized the core |42a will be drawn inwardly` of the coil |42 and the leverf` |4I will be rocked in a counterclockwise direction and thus communicate the pipe |35`with the supply pipe M1 and communicate the pipe |36 with the Vvent 46. A spring |43 is secured at one end `asat idd to the housing lia and at the otherend to the uppr end of thelever |4|,.and constantly urges the lever IM to rockthe valve plug in a clockwise direction and communicate the pipe |36 with the pipe |41. i

In the use and operation of thisy cleaning and drying structurathe bags to be cleaned are discharged into the lower intake end of the housing Ilthrough the intake opening I5 from a chute I 21a. This lower end ofthe housing will have agr-eater concentrate of sugar than the succeeding chambers defined bythe baffles or partitions 31.35 autres.A The speed ofrotation of the drum 26 is periodically accelerated and decelerated by means of the control structure shown in Fig. `for in Fig. 9, so that the bags within the drum 26 will be conveyed therealong by means of the conveying rib 68. The speed of longitudinal movement of the bags in the cleaning zone will be substantially greater due to thepitch of the ribv 68 than'the` speed of movement in the drying zone .69..v The openings 21 in the drum 26 in the upper portion of thewet zoneare so ar- Cil lil

ranged 'that the water in the bags will be centrifugally forced out of the bags to some extent before the bags reach the drying zone. The lower portion of the housing is filled with water to the level controlled by the float 6|, and after the bags have passed through the drum 26 there will be a considerable concentrate of sugar within the water positioned in all of the chambers dened by the baiiies `or partitions 35, 3'6 and 31. The concentrate of sugar in the water, however, will be less in the chambers succeeding the lowermost chamber, but when the quantity of sugar in the water in the foremost chamber becomes excessive, the water in the pipe I| 3 and in the receiver I i4 will cause the hydrometer II8 to rise and bring the shutter I9 between the light |2| and the cell |23. At this time the circuit to the solenoid |26 will be closed so that the solenoid associated with the valve 56 will effect an opening of the valve 56 so as to admit clean water into the .housing II. The admission of additional water in the housing will likewise effect an upward movement of the float 6| which will in turn open the valve 59 to drain out the excess water. In this manner a constant level of water will be maintained in the housing I|. The arrangement of the baiiies 35, 36 and 31 in the hous- II is such as to prevent the incoming fresh and clean water from fiowing directly to the valve 59.

When the cleaned and centrifugally dried bags are conveyed to the receiving member 18 they may be manually placed on the table 93 and pushed forwardly to the rollers 88 and 90. The rollers 88. and 96 will conve;7 the bags through the drying member 84 where hot air is passed through the bags in order that the bags discharged from the drying member 84 will be thoroughly dried and ready for further use.

During the rotation of the cylinder 26, the bags in the washing zone 4I, wherein the openings 21 are slanted'in a direction to force the water into the cylinder, will first be subjected to the force of the incoming water in the submerged portion of the cylinder, and when the cylinder 26 carries the bags above the water, the centrifugal force developed by the rotation of the cylinder 26 will cause at least a portion of the water initially forced inwardly through the bags to reverse its movement. In this manner there will be a back and forth movement of the water during the time the bags are in the washing zone and wherein the openings 21 are inclined as shown in Fig. 3. This back and forth movement of the water will eiect a more thorough washing of the bags than has been heretofore possible.

When the bags pass the washing zone 4| and enter the drying zone 69, where the inclination of the openings 28 is reversed from the openings 21, the remaining water in the bags will be centrifugally forced out of the openings 28, and the inclination of these openings 28 is also such as to set up a suction which will assist the centrifugal action inforcing the water out of the bags. The beginning of the drying zone 69 is in substantially the middle of the cylinder 26, that is midway between the ends thereof, and at this point the cylinder 26 is, still partially submerged in the water.

A cleaning and drying structure embodying this invention will thoroughly clean and dry the bags with the cleaning and centrifugally operated drying means actuated automatically so as to provide a continuous movement of the bags through the machine. The hereinbefore described apparatus will also veffect a uniformity in the cleaning of the bags due to the automatic changing of the water in the outer housing, and the uniformity of the Vmovement of the bags through the inner rotating cylinder 26.

The rate of the movement of thebags may be readily varied by changing the time interval between the periods of abrupt speed change, varying the abruptness of the speed changes, or varying the magnitude of the speed changes. The magnitude may be changed by, as an example, increasing the lower speed period and decreasing the higher speed period, or vice versa. In `the form shown in-Figs. 1 to 7 this may be done by varying the rotation of the wiper |08, in-creasing or decreasing the resistance |05, providing a longer or shorter non-resistance strip at the initial Contact of the wiper |08, or providing a variable speed for the wiper |08.

It is, of course, understood that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction of this invention, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: g

l. A bag washing and cleaning machine cornprising an outer housing having a pool of washing liquid, a cylindrical drum rotatably mounted in said housing and having a portion partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid to define a washing portion, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of said rdrum is suicient to maintain the bags within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, means in the :l

washing portion of said drum for -permitting washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorly of said drum when passing through said pool of liquid, said means permitting centrifugal discharge of the Washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, means for varying the speed of rotation of said drum, and means in said drum for moving the bags longitudinally of the drum simultaneously with the variation in the speed of rotation of said drum.

2. A bag washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer housing having a pool of Washing liquid, a cylindrical drum rotatably mounted in said housing and having a portion partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid to dene a washing portion, helical conveyor means fixed interiorly of said drum, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of said drum is sufficient to maintain the bags within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, means for varying the speed of rotation of said drum to permit the bags to be moved longitudinally of the drum by said helical conveyor means, and means in the washing portion of said drum for permitting Washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorly of said drum when passing through said pool of liquid, said means permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof.

3. A bag washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer stationary housing disposed `at an inclination to the horizontal and having a pool of Washing liquid, an open ended cylindrical perforate drum rotatably mounted in said housing and having a portion partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid to dene a washing portion, means rotatably supporting said drum in said housing, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of said drum is sufficient .to maintain the bags Within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, the perforations in the washing portion of said drum being inclined inthe direction of rotation "for permitting Washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorly of said drum when passing through said pool of liquid, saidkperforations permitting centrifugal discharge of the ,washing liquid Voutwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, a helical conveyor rib fixed to the interior of said drum, and means for abruptly varying the speed of rotation of said drum, `to* permit the bags to be moved longitudinally of the drum by said helical rib, the pitch of said rib in the Washing portion of said drum varying from that in the drying portion of said drum, whereby the rate of movement of the bags is greater in one portion of the drum than in the other.

4. A bag Washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer stationary housing disposed at an inclination to the horizontal and having a pool of washing liquid, an open ended cylindrical perforate drum in said housing having a washing portion at one end partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid and a drying portion at its other end above the level of the pool of Washing liquid, means rotatably supporting said drum in .said housing, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of said drum is suiiicient to maintain the bags within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force,-the perforations in the Washing portion of said drum being inclined in the direction of rotation of the drum for permitting washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorly of said drum for a portion of each revolution thereof, said perforations permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, a helical conveyor rib fixed to the interior of said drum and extending substantially the'entire length of y the latter, means for abruptly varying thespeed of rotation of said drum to permit the bags tobe moved longitudinally of said drum by said helical ri-b, a stationary receiver at the uppermost end of said housing positioned to receive the bags from the drying portion of said drum, and means in said receiver for reducing the rotational velogity of the bags' delivered thereto by said helical r1 5. A bag Washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer stationary housing having a pool of washing liquid, means supporting said housing on an inclination to the horizontal, an open ended perforate drum in said housing having awashing portion at one end partially submerged in the poolof washing liquid and a drying portion at itsother vend arranged above the level of the pool of washing liquid, means rotatably supporting said drum in said housing, a conveyor rib fixed to the interior of said drum, a power member operatively connected to said drum for continuous rotation of the latter at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of `said drum is sufficient to maintain the bags within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, the perforations in the washing portion of said drum being-inclined in the direction of rotation for permitting Washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorlyof said drum for a portion of each revolution thereof and for permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, a change speed mechanism correlated with said power member, and means for actuating said change speed mechanism at predetermined intervals, to permit the bags to be moved longitudinally of said drum by said conveyor rib.

6. A bag washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer housing having a pool of washing liquid, a cylindrical drum in said housing having a portion of length partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid to define a washing portion, said drum having another portion of length disposed above the level of the pool of liquid to define a drying portion, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of said drum is sufficient to maintain the bags within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, means in the washing portion of said drum for permitting washing liquid from Athe pool to be forced interiorly of said drum for a portion of each revolution thereof, said means permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, means in the drying portion of said drum permitting continuous centrifugal discharge of washing liquid outwardly of said drum,` a helical conveyor in said drum, and means for intermittently and abruptly decreasing the speed of rotation of said drum and alternately and gradually increasing the speed of rotation thereof, to permit the bags to be moved longitudinally of said drum by said helical conveyor.

7. A material washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer housing having a pool of washing liquid, a cylindrical drum in said housing having a portion of length partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid to define a washing portionsaid drum having another portion of length disposed above the level of the pool of liquid to define a drying portion, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of said drum is sufficient to maintain the material within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, means in the washing portion of said drum for permitting washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorly of said drum for a portion of each revolution thereof, said means permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, means in the drying portion of said drum for permitting continuous centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum, means for varying the speed of rotation of sai-d drum, means in said drum for moving the material longitudinally of the drum upon variation of the speed of rotation of said drum, and means for periodically introducing washing liquid to said housing.

8. A material washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer housing having a pool of washing liquid, a cylindrical drum in said housing having a portion of length partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid to define a washing portion, said drum having another portion of length disposed above the levelof the pool of liquid to define a drying portion, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of said drum is sufficient to maintain the material within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, means in the Washing portion of said drum for permitting washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorly of said drum for a portion of each revolution thereof, said means permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, means in the drying portion of same drum for permitting continuous centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum, means for varying the speed of `rotation of said drum, a helical member fixed interiorly of said drum for moving the materialA longitudinally of the drum simultaneously with the variation in the speed of rotation of said drum, means for periodically discharging washing liquid from said pool, and means for periodically introducing fresh washing liquid to said housing.

9. A `material washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer stationary housing having a pool of washing liquid, means supporting said housing on an inclination to the horizontal, said housing having an inlet opening at -the lower end thereof and an outlet opening at the upper end thereof, an open ended cylindrical perforate drumin said housing, having a washing portion partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid and a drying portion disposed above the level of the pool of Washing liquid, means rotatably supporting said drum in said housing, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of said drum is suicient to maintain the material Within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, the perforations in the washing portion of said drum being inclined in the direction of rotation for permitting washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorly of said drum for a portion of each revolution thereof and for permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, the perforations in the drying portion of said drum permitting continuous centrifugal discharge of washing liquidoutwardly of the drum, a helical conveyor rib fixed to the interior of said drum, and means forvary-ing the speedof rotation of said drum -to perm-it the material to be moved longitudinally of the drum by said helical rib. Y

10. A bag washing and cleaning machine comprising any outer cylindrical housing having a pool of washing liquid, means supporting, said housing on an inclination to the horizontal, an open ended `cylindrical perforate drum in said housing vhaving va washing portion adjacent one end thereof partially submerged in the'pool `of washing liquid and a drying portion adjacent its other end disposed above the level of the'pool of washing liquid, means rotatably supporting saidV drum in said housing, means for continuously rotating said drum .at such speed that the -lowest speed of lrotation of said drum is' sulficient to maintainl the bags within the drum against the inrier surfaceythereofby'centrifugal force, the perforations inthe washing portion of said drum being inclined in the direction of rotation for permitting Washing liquid from the pool to beforced Yinteriorly of said drum for a portion of each revolution thereof and .for permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing nquid outwardly of said drum duringY the vremaining portion-of each revolution thereof, the perforations in the-drying portion of said drum being inclined in the opposite direction for -permitting continuous centrifugal discharge of washing liquid outwardly of said drum, a helical conveyor rib fixed to the interior of said drum, means for abruptly varying the speed of rotation of said drum to permit movement ofthe bags longitudinally of the drum by said rib, said drum having a diameter substantially less than the diameter of said housing, arcuate baille means dividing the bottom portion of the space between said drum and said housing into a plurality of washing liquid compartments, means for periodically introducing washing liquid into one of said compartments and means for periodically discharging washing liquid from another one of said compartments.

11. A bag washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer stationary housing having a pool of washing liquid, means supporting said housing on an inclination to the horizontal, an open ended cylindrical perforate drum in said housing, having a washing portion partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid and a drying portion disposed above the level of the pool of washing liquid, a plurality7 of annular track members fixed to the outer surface of said drum, a plurality of rollers rotatably carried by said housing and engaging said track members to support said drum, certain of said rollers engaging the side walls of said track members to thereby holdl said drum against endwise movement in at least one direction, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation is sulcient to maintain the bags within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, the perforations in the washing portion of said drum being inclined in the direction of rotation for permitting washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorly of said drum for a portion of each revolution thereof and for permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, the perforations in the drying portion of said drum permitting continuous centrifugal discharge of washing liquid outwardly of said drum, a helical conveyor rib fixed to the interior of said drum, and meansfor abruptly varying the speed of rotation of said drum for moving the bags longitudinally of the drum, and means for introducing clean washing liquid in said housing.

12. A bag washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer stationary housing having a pool of washing liquid, a cylindrical washing and drying drum in said housing, the washing portion of said drum being partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid and the drying portion thereof being disposed above the level of the pool of washing liquid, a helical rib fixed interiorly of said drum, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation of said drum is sucient to maintain the bags within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, said drum being perforated in the washing and drying portions thereof, the perforations in the washing portion of the drum being inclined in the direction of rotation, vanes projecting outwardly from the periphery of said drum adjacent the perforations in the washing portion thereof for forcing washing liquid interiorly of said drum through said perforation for a portion of each revolution ofsad drum, saidV perforations permitting centrifugal discharge of. ,washing liquid outwardly 'of' said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, the perforations in the drying portion of said drum being inclined in the opposite direction for permitting continuous centrifugal discharge of washing liquid outwardly of said drum,r means for varying the" speed of rotation of said drum to permit the bags. to -be movedy longitudinally of the drum by said helical. rib, and means'for periodically introducing washing fluid into said housing.V

13. A bag washing and cleaning machine comprising an outer stationary housing having a pool of washing liquid, means supporting said housing on an inclination to the horizontal, an open ended cylindrical perforate drum in said housing having a washing portion partially submerged in the pool of washing liquid and a drying portion above the level of said pool, means rotatably supporting said drum in said housing, means for continuously rotating said drum at such speed that the lowest speed of rotation is sufcient to maintain the bags within the drum against the inner surface thereof by centrifugal force, the perforations in the washing portion of said drum being inclined in the direction of rotation for permitting washing liquid from the pool to be forced interiorly of said drum for a portion of each revolution thereof and for permitting centrifugal discharge of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution thereof, the perforations in the drying portion of said drum being inclined in the opposite direction to permit continuous centrifugal discharge of liquid outwardly of said drum, a helical conveyor rib fixed to the interior of said drum, means for varying the speed of rotation of said drum for permitting movement of the bags longitudinally of the drum by said rib, the pitch of said rib in the washing portion of said drum being greater than that in the drying portion of the drum, whereby the bags are moved longitudinally through the washing portion of l the drum at a fasterI rate than in the drying portion thereof, a stationary receiver carried by said housing at the uppermost end of the latter positioned to `receive the bags from the drying portion of said drum, and a helical braking rib carried by said receiver to reduce the rotational velocity of the bags delivered thereto, the bags being delivered from the drum to the receiver with sufficient rotational velocity to cause them to advance by means of the rib in the receiver to an unloading station.

14. In a washing machine for bags and the like, a stationary housing having a body of washing liquid'in the bottom thereof, a cylindrical drum rotatably mounted in said housing and having at least one portion thereof partially submerged in Said body of washing liquid, and means for rotating said drum at a speed sufiicient to maintain the bags against the inner surface of said drum by centrifugal force, said cylindrical drum being formed with means whereby washing liquid will be forced interiorly of sald drum for a portion of each revolution thereof and centrifugally forced outwardly of said drum during the remaining portion of each revolution of the drum. Y

15. In a washing machine for bags and the like, a stationary housing having a body of wash- 1ng liquid in the bottom thereof, a cylindrical drum rotatably mounted in said housing and having one end thereof partially submerged in said body of washing liquidV to forina; bag-Washing section; the other end ofsaidV drum being disposed above the level of thev liquid in said housing and forming a bag-drying section, means for rotating said drum at a speed suicient to maintain the bags against the inner surface of said drum by centrifugal force, said cylindrical drum having a series of openings in the bagwashing section thereof slanting in the direction of rotation of the druin, and means on the outer peripheI-y of said drum co-acting with said slanting openingsl to4 force Washing liquid fron Vthe housing through said openings into the interior portion of each revolution of the latter, said openings oentrifugally forcing part of the washing liquid outwardly of said drum: during the remaining portionl of each revolution, the dryingsection'v of said drum having openings slanting in a direction opposite tothe rstenarned openings to force the washing liquid out 'of the bags 10 and outwardly of said drum.

JACOB J'. NEUMAN. 

